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Global health and international employment opportunities

In recent years, the term ‘global health’ has grown in popularity and visibility. The progression from ‘international health’ and ‘public health’ illustrates a continuing development of philosophy, attitude and practice.

The term global health aims to highlight health issues that transcend national borders or have a global political and economic impact. Whether health is viewed in terms of burden of disease or root causes of disease, global health issues are of relevance to all communities on earth.

Just as the term global health continues to evolve, so too do the many contexts in which health professionals can contribute throughout the world. The opportunities are as endless as they are diverse – from local advocacy to global health policy, from humanitarian assistance to public health projects, from teaching to research.

How to get involved:

Global Health Group (GHG). A subcommittee of AMSA, there is a global health interest group at every medical school in Australia. Each group works within the local university and wider community to raise awareness about global health issues. Several groups now oversee large-scale medical aid projects, and others coordinate in-country research and volunteer placements for medical students.

AMSA Global Health Conference. This national conference brings together medical students from throughout Australia and overseas to explore and debate current issues influencing global health policy and practice. As the only student-run academic forum held in Oceania that focuses solely on global health, the conference is a unique platform for sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, highlighting initiatives and driving AMSA’s position on global health issues.

International Federation of Medical Student Associations (IFMSA). This is the global body charged with representing the interests of medical student associations around the world and is recognised by the UN and WHO as the international forum for medical students. Opportunities also exist for students to undertake part of their medical studies overseas through the federations exchange program.

Working abroad appeals across the whole spectrum of the profession – from medical students on electives; young doctors who want some international experience and for humanitarian reasons; to skilled and qualified specialists who want to share their skills and knowledge with colleagues for the benefit of the communities they serve.

There are many opportunities to explore if this appeals to you.

Overseas medical training and professional work have the potential to enhance the breadth and depth of knowledge for medical students and junior doctors – and can provide them with challenges and experiences that are not available in Australia. It can also help Australian students and doctors to make a small contribution to global health.

"A Guide to Working Abroad for Australian Medical Students and Junior Doctors" has been developed by the AMA Council of Doctors-in-Training (AMACDT) and Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA), in consultation with a range of Australian experts to provide evidence based and practical information on studying and training overseas – including, getting ready for the journey, managing personal and professional affairs during a placement and what needs to be done once you return home.

This 90 page guide is the gold standard for any medical student or junior doctor seeking to organise safe and rewarding placements and rotations abroad. Senior doctors will also find the contents of this guide invaluable.

The AMA has views on a range of contemporary global health issues and those highlighted below are just examples. Please click here for more information of what the AMA stands for on issues that impact on people and health globally.

Climate Change

Human health is ultimately dependent on the health of the planet and its ecosystem. The AMA recognises the latest findings regarding the science of climate change, the role of humans, past observations and future projections. The consequences of climate change have serious direct and indirect, observed and projected health impacts both globally and in Australia. There is inequity in the distribution of these health impacts both within and between countries, with some groups being particularly vulnerable.

Observed scientific data show that Australia’s climate has warmed since national records began in 1910, and especially since 1950, with mean surface air temperature warming by 0.9°C since 1910.Sea-surface temperatures in the Australian region have warmed by 0.9°C since 1900. 2013 was the warmest year on record in Australia, with seven of Australia's ten warmest years on record having occurred in the 13 years from 2002. 2011 was the single year that was cooler-than-average in the past decade. Record-breaking summer temperatures in Australia over 2012–2013, are very unlikely to have been caused by natural variability alone.

Health care of asylum seekers and refugees

The Australian Medical Association affirms that those who are seeking, or who have been granted, asylum within Australia have the right to receive appropriate medical care without discrimination, regardless of citizenship, visa status, or ability to pay. Like all people seeking health care, asylum seekers and refugees in Australia, or under the protection of the Australian Government, should be treated with compassion, respect, and dignity.

In addition to suffering the same health problems as the general population, asylum seekers and refugees are at particular risk from a range of conditions including psychological disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and the physical effects of persecution and torture. They may also suffer the effects of poor dental hygiene, poor nutrition and diet, and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, which may be more common in their countries of origin.

To determine their specific health needs, all asylum seekers and refugees should undergo comprehensive and timely health assessments in a culturally appropriate manner by suitably trained medical practitioners as part of a primary health care team. This assessment will be used to establish ongoing care with appropriate and descriptive records of asylum seekers’ health being recorded on a regular basis to enable multidisciplinary teams and healthcare providers to give effective ongoing care.

All asylum seekers and refugees should have access to the same level of health care as all Australian citizens. In addition, it should be ensured that their special needs, including cultural, linguistic, and health-related, are addressed.

A national statutory body of clinical experts independent of government should be established with the power to investigate and advise on the health and welfare of asylum seekers and refugees.

All asylum seekers and refugees, independent of their citizenship or visa status, should have universal access to basic health care, counselling and educational and training opportunities. Refugees and asylum seekers living in the community should also have access to Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), state welfare and employment support, and appropriate settlement services. Immigration policies that restrict the social and economic rights of disadvantaged groups of people, such as asylum seekers and refugees, can have adverse impacts on their health and wellbeing.

Health and welfare service providers for asylum seekers in detention and in the community should have access to translation and interpretive services and be adequately resourced and integrated at state and federal level. This includes increased staff education, training, and support.

Refugees, and asylum seekers living in the community, should have continued access to culturally appropriate health care, including specialist care, to meet their ongoing physical and mental health needs, including rehabilitation.

More research is needed into the health status and health care of asylum seekers and refugees, both within the community and in detention centres, to assist medical practitioners in the care of these groups, and the development of appropriate services.

More research is needed into the impact of immigration controls, such as the prolonged, indeterminate use of detention, on the health of asylum seekers, including those eventually determined to be refugees.

Disclaimer: the AMA is not recommending any of the above organisations, but merely providing them as options for individuals to explore and make their own assessments

DISCLAIMER:

This material is generic in nature and is made available on the understanding that the AMA is not engaged in rendering professional advice. Before relying on the material provided, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance for their purposes, and should obtain professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances where necessary.Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this Resource Hub, the AMA or its employees cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage arising to any person as a result of using this site.

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